Just two solicitors were among the 120 Queen’s Counsel appointments announced by the Lord Chancellor today, while three high-profile solicitors were awarded honorary silk.

The successful solicitor applicants were David Price, founder of London media law firm David Price Solicitors & Advocates, and Timothy Taylor, litigation and dispute resolution partner at City firm SJ Berwin.

Five solicitors applied, with a 40% success rate. In the previous round, only one solicitor QC was appointed, from 10 solicitor applicants.

Overall, 48% of the 251 individuals who applied for silk were successful.

They included 27 women (two-thirds of the 41 who applied), up on the 20 appointed in 2009/10.

Twelve of the new silks were from an ethnic minority (60% of the 20 who applied); two had a declared disability, and one was an employed advocate.

QC selection panel chair Dame Joan Higgins said ‘Relatively few female advocates are putting themselves forward for consideration for QC.

‘But the markedly higher success rate for women applicants this year should send a positive signal to all suitably qualified women advocates, whether barrister or solicitor.’

Meanwhile honorary silk status was awarded to Geoffrey Bindman, founder of London firms Bindmans: Monty Raphael, former senior partner at London firm Peters & Peters; and Stuart Popham, former senior partner at magic circle firm Clifford Chance, in recognition of their contribution to the law outside the courtroom.

This was the fifth round of the new appointments made under the revised arrangements introduced in 2005.